NEW YORK (AP) — New York Metropolis police have arrested a hospital employee from Queens after a collection of current stabbings, officers introduced Thursday.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban described the six assaults over the previous 10 days, none of which have been deadly, as “random, unmotivated violence” at a information convention.
Jermain Rigueur, a 27-year-old greeter at a metropolis hospital, was arrested on costs of tried homicide in reference to three of the instances, and assault in a fourth, all in Queens. Police stated Thursday morning that they have been nonetheless making ready costs in two different assaults, one in Queens and one other on a subway in Brooklyn.
Police launched surveillance video they are saying exhibits Rigueur holding a big searching knife he allegedly utilized in not less than one assault.
The primary stabbing was reported on Jan. 8. Police say the subsequent knife assault occurred Tuesday, injuring a lady on her stroll residence. The following day, three males have been stabbed inside about half-hour, police had stated in a press release earlier this week. That string of assaults prompted a public plea for suggestions, and Rigueur was arrested inside 24 hours, police stated.
Victims ranged from 34 to 74 and included folks of various genders and racial backgrounds, police stated. One assault adopted an argument over a bus seat. There was no clear buildup within the different assaults.
Rigueur had no prior arrests or indications of psychological sickness, police stated. Efforts to establish an lawyer who might converse on his behalf have been unsuccessful.
He had additionally handed a background examine in November as a part of the method to change into a hospital greeter, Dr. Mitchell Katz, the pinnacle of the town’s public hospital system, stated on the NYPD information convention.
Rigueur’s job had been restricted to directing individuals who arrive on the hospital, Katz stated. He has been placed on administrative go away and could be barred from the hospital pending the result of the felony case, Katz stated.